Northern Cape Breton: The top of the island - Hiking, kayaking, whale tours, cycling, camping, bed & breakfasts and more

Want to know a secret?

Of the hundreds of thousands of tourists that come to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island each year, only a small number of visitors discover the top of the island.

It's a rugged and breath-taking place that's quickly becoming one of the last undeveloped, authentic travel destinations on the east coast of North America. Hike, bike, kayak or drive and you'll have the rare experience of being alone and surrounded by the sea and the mountains just the way Mother Nature intended them to be.

10 great reasons to visit this summer:		1. The Whales	2. The Seafood
3. The Wildlife	4. The Quiet Beaches	5. The Outdoor Adventures	6. The Drive
7. The People	8. The Local Artists & Culture	9. The Golf	10. The Value

What people are saying:

"Parking our car on the side of the road, we followed a trail marked by a small piece of orange plastic tied on a tree and walked up to the top of a hill overlooking the most spectacular and unspoiled view I have ever seen. You will think you are on the edge of the earth. Desolate and beautiful... Other things we did while there were kayaking where we pulled the kayak up on the river side and walked to the ocean side to a deserted and huge beach and proceeded to strip our clothes and hop in the cold ocean." - TeddyF (Minneapolis) on Trip Advisor	"I have stayed at Burtons last summer. It was a wonderful place to stay! Clean, good beds, great host. He even helped us purchase crab then cooked it for us! Beautiful location. This place does not get enough credit on [Trip Advisor]. Actually anything off of the trail doesn't get enough credit. We went to the "top of the island" and that area was our favorite. Much less touristy." - Travelling Foo (Indianapolis) on Trip Advisor
"Drive of a lifetime" Cape Breton ranked #3 on NGT's global Index of Destination Stewardship for sustainable tourism (2004) CB Highlands National Park tied for #2 on NGT's sustainable tourism list for Northern American National Parks (2005) Cape Breton was the 2nd highest North American destination in NGT's survey of sustainable Island Destinations (2007)	Favourite Activities in Canada Best Scenic Drives in Canada Best Walks in Canada "This wildly scenic driving loop around Cape Breton Highlands National Park delivers a surplus of dramatic coastal scenery. Take a few days to explore the area. You can hike blustery headlands, scope for whales on a tour boat, and dabble around a cove or two in a sea kayak." "[Northern Cape Breton] is a much-recommended detour for adventurous travelers hoping to get off the trafficked Cabot Trail. Folks say that it is much like the Cabot Trail used to be 20 or 30 years ago, before the travel magazines started trumpeting its glories and large numbers of tourists started showing up. It's worth the extra driving and backtracking." The campsites in Meat Cove "may have the most dramatic ocean views of any campground in Nova Scotia." "This is one of very few places in Canada where you can pedal and whale-watch at the same time -- a terrific daily double, to be sure."
"No joke, [Aspy Bay oysters at Hideaway Campground] are probably the best oysters on the half I've ever had." - bigmackdaddy (Brooklyn, NY) on Chowhound	"The good part about Meat Cove is that it is so far from things, it just feels special to get there. The bad part is that it is so far from things I can't get there enough." - James Goneaux (Toronto) on Flickr
Our Favourite Places in Canada "The single loveliest, most magical place in Canada... breathtaking at any time of year."	"By the time you are [in Meat Cove] you are suffering from chronic scenic overload. It is some seriously awesome driving from Bay St Lawrence to Meat Cove. You are at the northern tip of Nova Scotia and the wind reminds you so." - Outbj (Washington D.C.) on Flickr
"You need to stop in Neil's Harbour - go to the restaurant out on the breakwater and have fish and chips. If you are health and diet conscious, get over it and have the fish and chips!!" - DanyBoy on Frommer's Community Forum	Praise for the Highland Links Golf Club (just a short drive from us) "Rustic, razor sharp and as thrilling a golf experience as can be found at any public course in North America." "I was preparing to hit from the edge of a fairway one afternoon late last August when a 10-foot bull moose walked up and asked to play through." #1 Canadian Course in the World's Top 100 Courses Top 100 Golf Courses Outside the US #4 Course in Canada
"We highly recommend taking your time to explore Cape Breton as there is far more to experience than just a scenic drive around the Cabot trail. The people, culture and food, food, food... are worth the time! Definitely one of our best trips." - Shugnorth (Ontario) on Trip Advisor

What they're filming:

	This video shows some the incredible sea kayaking that Northern Cape Breton has to offer. Kayaks, guides and support services are available in Cape North and kayaks in Meat Cove.
	On your own or with a guide, we've got spectacular hiking for all levels of ability, year round. This video was shot in late winter from the top of Tenerife Peak overlooking Aspy Bay and Sugar Loaf.
	When we say up and close and personal with whales, we mean it. There's nothing like the feeling of being so close to a magnificent animal like this, and all you hear is the breathing of the whale, the seagulls and the waves.